Dr. Pagel on Challenges With ASCT in Relapsed/Refractory DLBCL

John M. Pagel, MD, PhD, chief of the Hematologic Malignancies Program, and director, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Program, at Swedish Cancer Institute, discusses challenges with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Approximately 40% of patients with DLBCL relapse, says Pagel. As such, more effective treatment options are needed for that subset of patients.

Currently, the standard of care for patients who relapse is ASCT, Pagel explains. Patients who relapse may need higher doses of treatment; however, intensive treatment can kill normal blood-forming cells in addition to remaining lymphoma cells.

Ultimately, ASCT, done safely through stem cell rescue, can be effective, but should not be considered a viable alternative for the majority of patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL, Pagel concludes.